Infant car seat

ABSTRACT

An infant car seat is provided, including a seat shell, a seat back slideably connected to the seat shell, a plurality of adjustment teeth provided along the seat back, and an adjuster rotatably connected to the seat shell. The adjuster mates with the adjustment teeth to extend or retract the seat back relative to the seat shell when the adjuster is rotated.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional ApplicationNo. 60/361,922, filed Mar. 4, 2002, the entire disclosure of which ishereby incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The invention relates to infant car seats for seating andtransporting infants and small children.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] Infant car seats are commonly used to conveniently and safelyseat and transport infants and small children. Such car seats generallycomprise a molded plastic seat shell having a seat back for supportingthe infant and a U-shaped handle that extends across the seat shell forcarrying the seat shell. A safety belt harness is typically provided tosecure the infant in the seat shell.

[0006] One problem with conventional car seats is that they cannot beadjusted to fit the size of the infant as the infant grows. The car seatbecomes uncomfortable for the infant and can pose an increased risk ofinjury to the infant in a vehicle collision if the safety belt harnessdoes not fit properly. Accordingly, some existing car seats have anadjustable seat back that can be extended relative to the seat shell asthe infant grows. This allows the car seat to be better fitted to theinfant. The adjustment of the seat back in such car seats, however, istypically complicated and time consuming. In addition, improperadjustment of the seat back can result in injury to the infant.

[0007] In conventional car seats, the safety belt harness typicallyincludes a number of safety belts that extend from behind the seat shellthrough slots in the seat back. If the seat back is movable to fit theinfant, the safety belts typically must be removed and re-threadedthrough the slots in the seat back after the seat back is adjusted.This, too, can sometimes be difficult and time consuming.

[0008] Young infants do not have the physiological development of theneck, shoulders, and spine necessary to be restrained by a safety beltharness in a forward facing direction without serious injury.Accordingly, in order to better protect infants in the event of vehiclecollisions, infant car seats are designed to face rearwardly in adirection opposite the normal direction of travel of the vehicle. Inrear-facing car seats, collision impact forces are distributed by theseat back over the infant's entire head and torso, thereby minimizingthe risk of injury to the infant.

[0009] In general, the more upright the seat shell, the better thedistribution of collision impact forces over the infant's body. Smallerinfants, however, cannot tolerate being as upright as larger infantscan. Accordingly, the seat shell should be more upright for larger,heavier infants than for smaller, lighter infants.

[0010] Some existing car seats include angle indicators to indicatewhether the angular orientation of the seat shell is proper when the carseat is situated in a vehicle. Such angle indicators, however, indicateas proper a single range of angular orientations of the seat shell forall infants to which the car seat is suited, and do not differentiatebased on the size or weight of the infant. As a result, if the infantoccupying the car seat is very large, the angle indicator may indicateas proper a seat shell orientation that is too reclined. Conversely, ifthe infant occupying the car seat is very small, the angle indicator mayindicate as proper a seat shell orientation that is too inclined.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Accordingly, an infant car seat is provided including a movableseat back that is easy to operate, a safety belt harness that isadjusted as the seat back is adjusted and that is easy to assemble andrelatively cheap to manufacture, and an angle indicator that indicateswhether the angular orientation of the car seat is proper based upon theweight of the infant occupying the car seat.

[0012] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, an infantcar seat is provided, including a seat shell, a seat back slideablyconnected to the seat shell, a plurality of adjustment teeth providedalong the seat back, and an adjuster rotatably connected to the seatshell. The adjuster mates with the adjustment teeth to extend or retractthe seat back relative to the seat shell when the adjuster is rotated.

[0013] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, aninfant car seat is provided, including a seat shell, a seat backmoveable along the seat shell to extend or retract the seat backrelative to the seat shell, a plurality of adjustment teeth providedalong the seat back, and an adjuster rotatably connected to the seatshell. The adjuster includes a main body having a central axis, a firstprojection extending from the main body on a first side of the centralaxis, and a second projection extending from the main body on a secondside of the central axis opposite the first side. The first and secondprojections mate with the adjustment teeth to extend or retract the seatback relative to the seat shell upon rotation of the adjuster.

[0014] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, aninfant car seat is provided, including a seat shell, a first safety belthaving a first looped end, a second safety belt having a second loopedend, a third safety belt having a third looped end, and a splitter plateconnecting the first, second and third safety belts behind the seatshell. The splitter plate includes a lower portion and an upper portionthat extends over the lower portion from a first side of the lowerportion towards a second side of the lower portion, defining a gapbetween an end of the upper portion and the second side of the lowerportion. The gap is sized to allow the first and second looped ends toslide through the gap and around the upper portion and the third loopedend to slide through the gap and around the lower portion.

[0015] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, aninfant car seat is provided, including a seat shell, a pendulumpivotably suspended within the seat shell, the pendulum having anindicator, a first viewing area provided in the seat shell, and a secondviewing area provided in the seat shell. The indicator is visible in thefirst viewing area when an angular orientation of the seat shell iswithin a first range. The indicator is visible in the second viewingarea when an angular orientation of the seat shell is within a secondrange.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016]FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of one embodiment of an infantcar seat having certain features and advantages in accordance with thepresent invention;

[0017]FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the infant car seatillustrating the movable seat back and adjustment mechanism in explodedview;

[0018]FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the infant car seatillustrating the movable seat back and adjustment mechanism in explodedview;

[0019]FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the movable seat back;

[0020]FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the inner member of theadjuster of the adjustment mechanism;

[0021]FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the inner member;

[0022]FIG. 7 is side elevational view of the inner member rotated 90degrees from the orientation of FIG. 6;

[0023]FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of the biasing member of theadjustment mechanism;

[0024]FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of the infant car seat with aportion of the movable seatback cut away to illustrate the adjustmentmechanism;

[0025]FIG. 10 is an enlarged cutaway view of the adjustment mechanismwith the adjuster in a first rotational orientation;

[0026]FIG. 11 is an enlarged cutaway view with the adjustment mechanismwith the adjuster rotated 90 degrees from the first rotationalorientation of FIG. 10;

[0027]FIG. 12 is a left side view of the infant car seat with the leftsides of the car seat and the movable seat back cut away to illustratethe routing of one of the safety belts of the car seat;

[0028]FIG. 13 is a rear view of the splitter plate of the infant carseat;

[0029]FIG. 14 is a rear view of the splitter plate with the safety beltsof the car seat connected thereto;

[0030]FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the splitter plate illustrating afirst step in the connection of one of the safety belts;

[0031]FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the splitter plate illustrating asecond step in the connection of the safety belt of FIG. 15;

[0032]FIG. 17 is a left side view of the infant car seat with bothviewing areas of the angle indicator of the car seat indicating a properangular orientation of the car seat;

[0033]FIG. 18 is a left side view of the infant car seat illustratingthe pendulum of the angle indicator in phantom;

[0034]FIG. 19 is a side elevational view of the pendulum;

[0035]FIG. 20 is a top plan view of the pendulum;

[0036]FIG. 21 is a left side view of the infant car seat with one of theviewing areas of the angle indicator of the car seat indicating animproper angular orientation of the car seat;

[0037]FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the top of a car seat base foruse in connection with the infant car seat;

[0038]FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the bottom of the base with thefoot portion of the base removed;

[0039]FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the one of the rails, rail guidesand lock mechanisms of the base;

[0040]FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view of the rail, rail guide and lockmechanism taken through the rail guide and lock mechanism;

[0041]FIG. 26 is a perspective view of one of the lock stampings of thelock mechanism;

[0042]FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view of the base taken through one ofthe rails;

[0043]FIG. 28 is a perspective view of the bottom of the car seat;

[0044]FIG. 29 is a perspective view of the bottom of the release handleof the car seat;

[0045]FIG. 30 is a left side view of the car seat with a portion of theleft side cut away to illustrate the manner of operation of the releasehandle;

[0046]FIG. 31 is a perspective view of the connection bracket of thebase;

[0047]FIG. 32 is a left side view of the connection bracket;

[0048]FIG. 33 is a perspective view of the car seat and base;

[0049]FIG. 34 is a left side view of the car seat and base with the carseat connected to the base;

[0050]FIG. 35 is a perspective view of the lifter of the base;

[0051]FIG. 36 is a left side view of the lifter;

[0052]FIG. 37 is a perspective view of the bottom of the base;

[0053]FIG. 38 is a perspective view of the foot portion of the base;

[0054]FIG. 39 is a left side view of the foot portion;

[0055]FIG. 40 is a cross-sectional view of the base taken alongside oneof the side walls of the connection bracket;

[0056]FIG. 41 is a perspective view of a stroller for use in connectionwith the car seat;

[0057]FIG. 42 is a perspective view of the bottom of the tray of thestroller;

[0058]FIG. 43 is a top plan view of the tray bar of the stroller;

[0059]FIG. 44 is a rear elevational view of the tray bar;

[0060]FIG. 45 is a cross-sectional view of the tray and tray bar takenalong one of the runners of the tray, with the tray cradled in the traybar;

[0061]FIG. 46 is a cross-sectional view of the tray and tray bar takenalong one of the runners of the tray, with the tray rotated away fromthe tray bar;

[0062]FIG. 47 is a perspective view of the tray bar and tray, with thetray rotated away from the tray bar;

[0063]FIG. 48 is a perspective view of the car seat and the stroller,with the car seat connected to the stroller;

[0064]FIG. 49 is a perspective view of the bottom of the car seat andtray bar, with the car seat connected to the tray bar; and

[0065]FIG. 50 is a perspective view of one of the supports connected tothe stroller, with the support deployed to support the car seat.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0066] With reference initially to FIG. 1, an infant car seat 20 isillustrated having certain features and advantages in accordance withthe present invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the infant carseat 20 includes a molded plastic seat shell 22 having a head end 24 anda foot end 26. The seat shell 22 includes a seating surface 28 and apair of side walls 30 that extend upwardly from the sides of the seatingsurface 28. The seating surface 28 and the side walls 30 are preferablycovered with a removable padding material (not shown) to comfortablysupport an infant in the seat shell 22.

[0067] As illustrated in FIG. 1, a handle assembly 38 extendstransversely across the seat shell 22 and is connected to the side walls30. In the illustrated embodiment, the handle assembly 38 includes agenerally triangular central grip portion 40 and a pair of handle arms42 that extend towards the side walls 30 from the grip portion 40. Theends of the handle arms 42 opposite the grip portion 40 preferably arerotatably connected to the seat shell by rivets 44 or other suitablefasteners that extend through openings 46 in the ends of the handle arms42. The rivets 44 preferably extend through brackets (not shown) which,in turn, are connected to the side walls 30 of the seat shell.

[0068] A lock mechanism 50 preferably is provided at the end of each ofthe handle arms 42 to lock the handle assembly 38 in a desiredrotational position relative to the seat shell 22. In the illustratedembodiment, the lock mechanisms 50 are operated by actuators 54 thatextend from pockets in the handle arms 42. When both of the actuators 54are manually pressed into the pockets, the handle assembly 38 can berotated relative to the seat shell 22. In FIG. 1, the handle assembly 38is illustrated in a typical carrying orientation, wherein the handleassembly 38 extends above the seat shell 22. By pressing the actuators54, the handle assembly 38 can be rotated and locked behind the head end24 of the seat shell, for example, to more conveniently allow an infantto be placed in or removed from the car seat 20.

[0069] It is to be understood that the particular configurations of thehandle assembly 38 and handle lock mechanisms 50 illustrated are merelyexemplary. Those skilled in the art will recognize that other suitablehandle assemblies and handle lock mechanisms can alternatively be used.

[0070] Movable Seat Back

[0071] With reference now to FIGS. 2 and 3, in the illustratedembodiment, the infant car seat 20 includes a movable seat back 60. Theseat back 60 has an elongated center portion 64 and a head rest portion66 that extends outwardly from the sides of the center portion 64. Ahead rest insert 68, preferably comprising an expanded polystyrene (EPS)foam, fits over the head rest portion 66 to support the head of aninfant occupying the car seat 20.

[0072] As best illustrated in FIG. 4, a shoulder belt channel 70 isformed along each side of the center portion 64 of the seat back 60 byribs 74 that extend from the center portion 64. A transversely extendingslot 76 is provided at an end of each of the channels 70 for passage ofa first safety belt 80 and a second safety belt 82 (see FIG. 14). Anumber of hooks 84 extend from the sides of the center portion 64 toconnect the seat back 60 to the seat shell 22 in a manner to bedescribed in greater detail below.

[0073] In the illustrated embodiment, the car seat 20 includes anadjustment mechanism 88 to adjust the longitudinal position of the seatback 60 relative to the seat shell 22. With reference still to FIG. 4,the adjustment mechanism 88 includes a plurality of adjustment teeth 90,which are provided along the center portion 64 of the seat back 60. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the adjustment teeth 90 are arranged in aline extending longitudinally along the center portion 64. Theindividual adjustment teeth 90 extend laterally towards a side of thecenter portion 64 and define a number of generally U-shaped valleys 94therebetween.

[0074] As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the adjustment mechanism 88further includes an adjuster 98 and a biasing member 100. In theillustrated embodiment, the adjuster 98 includes an inner member 104 andan outer member 106. The inner member 104, illustrated in FIGS. 5-7,includes a main body 108 having a larger diameter portion 110 and asmaller diameter portion 112. A first cylindrical projection 120 and asecond cylindrical projection 122 extend from the larger diameterportion 110. Each of the projections 120, 122 has a central axis offsetfrom a central axis of the main body 108. Preferably, the projections120, 122 are aligned on opposite sides of the central axis of the mainbody 108. As best illustrated in FIG. 7, a pair of tabs 126 extends fromthe smaller diameter portion 112 of the main body 108.

[0075] As best illustrated in FIG. 8, the biasing member 100 comprises agenerally K-shaped member having a contact segment 136 and a pair ofcantilever legs 138. Each of the legs 138 is attached at one end to aside of the contact segment 136. A rib 140 extends along the side of thecontact segment 136 to reinforce the contact segment 136.

[0076] With reference again to FIG. 3, in the illustrated embodiment, arecessed area 146 is provided in the seating surface 28 of the seatshell 22 near the head end 24 of the seat shell 22. A transverselyextending slot 150 is provided in the recessed area 146. Preferably, theheight of the slot 150 in the longitudinal direction of the seat shell22 is slightly greater than the diameter of the smaller diameter portion112 of the main body 108 of the inner member 104, and less than thediameters of the larger diameter portion 110 and the outer member 106 ofthe adjuster 98.

[0077] The inner member 104 of the adjuster 98 is positioned on theinside of the seat shell 22 so that the larger portion 110 of the mainbody 108 abuts the seat shell 22 and the smaller portion 112 extendsthrough the slot 150. The outer member 106 of the adjuster 98 ispositioned on the outside of the seat shell 22 and is aligned with theinner member 104. The tabs 126 of the inner member 104 extend intoopenings 154 (see FIG. 2) formed in the outer member 106. One or morescrews (not shown) extend through the inner member 104 into the outermember 106 to connect the inner member 104 to the outer member 106,thereby retaining the adjuster 98 in the slot 150.

[0078] With reference now to FIG. 9, the seat back 60 is positioned atthe inside of the seat shell 22 so that the ribs 74 defining theshoulder belt channels 70 extend into the recessed area 146 of the seatshell 22. The hooks 84 at the sides of the seat back 60 extend intolongitudinal slots 156 that extend along the seating surface 28 belowthe recessed area 146. A fastener, such as a rivet (not shown), extendsthrough an opening 152 provided in the seat back 60 above the adjustmentteeth 90, and through a longitudinally extending slot 154 provided inthe seat shell 22. The seat back 60 is thereby slideably connected tothe seat shell 22. Additional fasteners (not shown) may be providedthrough various openings (not shown) in the seat back 60 and slots (notshown) in the seat shell 22, as necessary, to retain the seat back 60 inparallel to the recessed area 146 of the seat shell 22.

[0079] The biasing member 100 is positioned between the seat back 60 andthe seat shell 22. As best illustrated in FIG. 10, a first rib 160extends longitudinally along the recessed portion 146 of the seat shell22. A second rib 162 and a third rib 164 extend laterally along therecessed portion 146 from the first rib 160 towards the adjuster 98. Thelegs 138 of the biasing member 100 contact the first rib 160. Thecontact segment 136 of the biasing member 100 contacts the adjustmentteeth 90 provided along the seat back 60.

[0080] When the adjuster 98 is oriented as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, eachof the projections 120, 122 resides in one of the valleys 94 between theadjustment teeth 90. The second projection 122 is above the firstprojection 120. The first and second projections 120, 122 cooperate withthe adjustment teeth 90 to fix the longitudinal position of the seatback 60 relative to the seat shell 22.

[0081] When the adjuster 98 is rotated as illustrated in FIG. 11, thefirst projection 120 abuts the bottom of one of the valleys 94 betweenthe adjustment teeth 90. The second projection 122 contacts and slidesalong the contact segment 136 of the biasing member 100. The contactsegment 136 is moved towards the first rib 160, causing the legs 138 ofthe biasing member 100 to flex. The second and third ribs 162, 164 helpto retain the biasing member 100 in place as the second projection 122slides along the contact segment 136.

[0082] As the adjuster 98 is rotated, the axis of rotation of the mainbody 108 is moved laterally in the slot 150 away from the adjustmentteeth 90. As a result, the first projection 120 is moved generallylinearly along the longitudinal axis of the seat shell 22. When theadjuster 98 is rotated from the orientation of FIGS. 9 and 10 to theorientation of FIG. 11, the first projection 120 is moved longitudinallytowards the head end 24 of the seat shell 22. The second projection 122is rotated around the first projection 120 towards the foot end 26 ofthe seat shell 22.

[0083] As the adjuster 98 is rotated beyond the orientation illustratedin FIG. 11, the axis of rotation of the main body 108 is moved laterallyin the slot 150 back towards the adjustment teeth 90. The biasing member100 urges the second projection 122 towards the adjustment teeth 90 andinto the valley 94 below the first projection 120. Thus, as adjuster 98is rotated counterclockwise (from a perspective inside the seat shell)180 degrees from the orientation of FIGS. 9 and 10, the secondprojection 120 is rotated from the valley 94 above the first projection120 to the valley 94 below the first projection 120, thereby extendingthe seat back 60 relative to the seat shell 22.

[0084] Accordingly, by rotating the adjuster 98, the longitudinalposition of the seat back 60 can be adjusted to accommodate infants ofvarious sizes. The first and second projections 120, 122 mate with theadjustment teeth 90 to extend or retract the seat back 60 relative tothe seat shell 22. Preferably, as illustrated in FIG. 11, a stop surface172 is provided at each end of the adjustment teeth 90 so that, when theseat back 60 is fully extended or retracted, one of the projections 120,122 abuts the stop surface 172 to prevent the adjuster 98 from beingfurther rotated.

[0085] Advantageously, the movable seat back 60 allows the car seat 20to be better fitted to the size of the infant occupying it. The seatback 60 can be extended as the infant grows. By adjusting the positionof the seat back 60 relative to the seat shell 22, the head rest portion66 can be moved into place behind the infant's head, increasing thecomfort and safety of the infant.

[0086] The movable seat back 60 of the illustrated embodiment is simpleand convenient to adjust. It can be extended or retracted simply byrotating the adjuster 98. In contrast to some prior art car seats, thefirst and second safety belts 80, 82 need not be re-threaded through theseat back 60 and/or the seat shell 22 to fit the infant after the seatback 60 has been adjusted. As the seat back 60 is adjusted, the safetybelt harness is also adjusted. As a result, the potential for misuse ofthe car seat 20 is reduced.

[0087] Splitter Plate

[0088] With reference again to FIG. 3, in the illustrated embodiment, asafety belt slot 180 is provided in the recessed area 146 of the seatshell 22 on each side of the adjuster slot 150. Preferably, the safetybelt slots 180 in the seat shell 22 are located so that they aregenerally in registration with the safety belt slots 76 in the seat back60 when the seat back 60 is fully extended relative to said seat shell22.

[0089] With reference now to FIG. 12, the first safety belt 80 extendsfrom the inside of the seat shell 22 through one of the safety beltslots 76 in the seat back 60. The second safety belt 82 (not shown inFIG. 12) extends from the inside of the seat shell 22 through the othersafety belt slot 76 in the seat back 60. The first and second safetybelts 80, 82 extend through the channels 70 in the seat back 60 andthrough the safety belt slots 180 in the seat shell 22.

[0090] As the position of the seat back 60 is adjusted to fit the sizeof the infant occupying the car seat 20, the safety belt slots 76 in theseat back 60 are moved to position them directly above the shoulders ofthe infant. The first and second safety belts 80, 82 preferably areconnected to a buckle (not shown) positioned in front of the infant. Thebuckle preferably is connected to various other belts (not shown) thatextend between or around the legs of the infant, as is well known in theart, to restrain the infant in the car seat 20. In the illustratedembodiment, the buckle is connected to a crotch belt (not shown) thatextends from a crotch belt pocket 184 (see FIG. 28) near the foot end 26of the seat shell 22.

[0091] With reference to FIG. 13, the first and second safety belts 80,82 preferably are connected behind the seat shell 22 to a splitter plate188. In the illustrated embodiment, the splitter plate 188 includes alower portion 190 and an upper portion 192 extending over the lowerportion 190 from a first side of the lower portion 190 towards a secondside of the lower portion 190. A gap 196 is provided between an end ofthe upper portion 192 and the second side of the lower portion 190.

[0092] The upper portion 192 preferably has a curved interior surface200 and includes a retainer 202 that extends inwardly from the end ofthe upper portion 192. The lower portion 190 preferably includes a firstretainer 204 that extends inwardly from the first side of the lowerportion 190 and a second retainer 206 that extends inwardly from thesecond side of the lower portion 190.

[0093] As illustrated in FIG. 14, the first and second safety belts 80,82 preferably each have an end that is folded over and sewn to form aloop 210. A third safety belt 216, preferably also having a looped end210, is connected to the splitter plate 188 by sliding the looped end210 over the lower portion 190 of the splitter plate 188. A first sideof the looped end 210 is first slid beneath the first retainer 204 ofthe lower portion, as illustrated in FIG. 15. The looped end 210 is thenbunched together, as illustrated in FIG. 16, to allow a second side ofthe looped end 210 to slide beneath the second retainer 206, therebypreventing the looped end 210 of the third safety belt 216 from slidingoff of the lower portion 190 of the splitter plate 188.

[0094] With reference again to FIG. 14, the first and second safetybelts 80, 82 are connected to the splitter plate 188 by sliding thelooped ends 210 over the upper portion 192 of the splitter plate 188.The retainer 202 prevents the looped ends 210 from sliding off of theupper portion 192. Advantageously, because the looped ends 210 of thefirst, second and third safety belts 80, 82, 216 can be slid through thegap 196, the sewing of the looped ends 210 can be performed prior toconnecting the belts 80, 82, 216 to the splitter plate 188.

[0095] The curved interior surface 200 of the upper portion 192 of thesplitter plate 188 accommodates the converging arrangement of the firstand second safety belts 80, 82 and allows a greater width of the loopedends 210 to contact the upper portion 192 of the splitter plate 188. Thecurved surface 200 further prevents bunching of the looped ends 210 ofthe first and second safety belts 80, 82 at the ends of the upperportion 192.

[0096] With reference again to FIG. 1, the end of the third safety belt216 opposite the splitter plate 188 preferably is routed through anopening 220 of a tensioning device 222 provided near the foot end 26 ofthe seat shell 22, as is well known in the art. When the tensioningdevice 222 is actuated, the third safety belt 216 can be drawn throughthe opening 220. When the device 222 is released, the belt 216 isconstrained in the opening 220. Accordingly, by operating the tensioningdevice 222, the length of the third safety belt 216 extending behind theseat shell 22 can be varied. By reducing the effective length of thethird safety belt 216, the splitter plate 188, and thus the ends 210 ofthe first and second safety belts 80, 82, can be drawn towards the footend 26 of the seat shell 22 to remove any excess slack in the first andsecond safety belts 80, 82 and secure the infant in the car seat 20.

[0097] Multiple-Range Angle Indicator

[0098] With reference now to FIG. 17, in the illustrated embodiment, theinfant car seat 60 includes a multiple-range angle indicator 230. Asdiscussed above, it is important for the safety of the infant that theinfant not be too inclined or too reclined in the car seat 20 when thecar seat 20 is being transported in an automobile. Generally, the seatshell 22 should be more inclined or upright when transporting largerinfants, and more reclined when transporting smaller infants. Themultiple-range angle indicator 230 of the illustrated embodiment allowsthe proper angular orientation of the seat shell 22 to be determinedbased on the weight of the infant occupying the car seat 20.

[0099] With reference again to FIG. 9, in the illustrated embodiment, alarge pocket 234 is provided in the seat shell 22 on each side of theseating surface 28. As illustrated in FIG. 3, each of the pockets 234 isdefined by an inner side wall 236 and an outer side wall 238 that extendgenerally vertically beneath the seating surface 28. The inner and outerside walls 236, 238 of each pocket 234 form a support 242 for supportingthe car seat 20. Preferably, each of the supports 242 has a curvedbottom surface 246 to allow the car seat 20 to rock back and forth onthe supports 242 when the car seat 20 is placed on a floor or othersurface.

[0100] A pendulum 250 preferably is pivotably suspended in one of thepockets 234 of the car seat 20, as illustrated in FIG. 18. As bestillustrated in FIGS. 19 and 20, in the illustrated embodiment, thependulum 250 is generally triangular in shape, having a first side 252,a second side 254, a bottom 256, and a face 258. An axle 260 havingcylindrical ends is provided at the apex of the first and second sides252, 254. Preferably, the pendulum 250 is molded from a plastic materialhaving a bright color that contrasts with the color of the seat shell22.

[0101] As illustrated in FIG. 19, an opening 280 is provided through theface 258 of the pendulum 250. The opening 280 generally includes a firstregion 282 at a first radial distance from the center of the axle 260 ofthe pendulum 250, and a second region 284 at a second radial distancefrom the center of the axle 260 greater than the first distance. Thefirst region 282 is bounded by a first line L₁ extending through thecenter of the axle 260, and a second line L₂ extending through thecenter of the axle 260 at an angle α with respect to the first line L₁.In the illustrated embodiment, the angle α is approximately 9 degrees.The second region 284 is bounded by a third line L₃ extending throughthe center of the axle 260, and a fourth line L₄ extending through thecenter of the axle 260 at an angle β with respect to the third line L₃.In the illustrated embodiment, the angle β is approximately 16 degrees.

[0102] With reference again to FIG. 18, a rib 262 having generallyU-shaped cutout 264 preferably extends upwardly into one of the pockets234. An opening 266 is provided in one of the side walls 236, 238 acrossfrom the cutout 264. The pendulum 250 is pivotably supported in thecutout 264 and the opening 266.

[0103] As the car seat 20 is inclined or reclined, gravity causes thependulum 250 to pivot within the pocket 234. In the illustratedembodiment, a first viewing area 290 and a second viewing area 292 areprovided in the outer side wall 238 of the pocket 234. Preferably, thefirst and second viewing areas 290, 292 comprise openings in the outerside wall 238. The location of the first viewing area 290 is selected sothat, when the angular orientation of the seat shell 22 is proper for aninfant having a weight within a first weight range, the first region 282of the opening 280 in the pendulum 250 is in registration with the firstviewing area 290. As a result, the face 258 of the pendulum 250 is notvisible in the first viewing area 290.

[0104] When the seat shell 22 is too inclined or too reclined for aninfant having a weight within the first weight range, the pendulum 250pivots in the pocket 234 so that at least a portion of the face 258 ofthe pendulum 250 is visible in the first viewing area 290, asillustrated in FIG. 21. Thus, by looking to see whether the face 258 ofthe pendulum 250 is visible in the first viewing area 290, it can bedetermined whether the angular orientation of the seat shell 22 isproper for transporting an infant having a weight within the firstweight range.

[0105] Similarly, the location of the second viewing area 292 isselected so that, when the angular orientation of the seat shell 22 isproper for an infant having a weight within a second weight range, thesecond region 284 of the opening 280 in the pendulum 250 is inregistration with the second viewing area 292. When the seat shell 22 istoo inclined or too reclined for an infant having a weight within thesecond weight range, the pendulum 250 pivots in the pocket 234 so thatat least a portion of the face 258 of the pendulum 250 is visible in thesecond viewing area 292. Accordingly, by looking to see whether the face258 of the pendulum 250 is visible in the second viewing area 292, itcan be determined whether the angular orientation of the seat shell 22is proper for transporting an infant having a weight within the secondweight range.

[0106] With reference still to FIG. 21, in the illustrated embodiment, alabel 298 having instructions concerning the proper use of the angleindicator 230 is applied to the outer side wall 238. In illustratedembodiment, the label 298 indicates that the first viewing area 290 isto be used if the infant occupying the car seat 20 weighs less than 20pounds, and the second viewing area 292 is to be used if the infantweighs more than 20 pounds.

[0107] Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that, byincreasing or decreasing the angle α, the range of angular orientationsof the seat shell 22 that the angle indicator 230 indicates as “proper”for a child having a weight within the first weight range (i.e., lessthan 20 pounds in the illustrated embodiment) can be increased ordecreased, respectively. Similarly, by increasing or decreasing theangle β, the range of angular orientations of the seat shell 22 that theangle indicator 230 indicates as “proper” for a child having a weightwithin the second weight range (i.e., more than 20 pounds in theillustrated embodiment) can be increased or decreased, respectively.

[0108] It will be further recognized that the particular range ofangular orientations of the seat shell 22 that the angle indicator 230indicates as “proper” for a child having a weight within the firstweight range depends on the particular sizes, shapes, and relativelocations of the first viewing area 290 and the first region 282 of theopening 280 in the pendulum 250. Similarly, the particular range ofangular orientations of the seat shell 22 that the angle indicator 230indicates as “proper” for a child having a weight within the secondweight range depends on the particular sizes, shapes, and relativelocations of the second viewing area 292 and the second region 284 ofthe opening 280 in the pendulum 250.

[0109] It is to be understood that various modifications may be made tothe angle indicator 230 of the illustrated embodiment. For example, inalternative embodiments, the angle indicator may include more than twoviewing areas, and the opening in face of the pendulum may include morethan two regions, to indicate the proper angular orientation of the seatshell for more than two different infant weight ranges. Instead ofproviding an opening in the face of the pendulum, a label may be affixedto the face of the pendulum. Preferably, the label would have a colorthat contrasts with the color of the surrounding face of the pendulum,so that the proper angular orientation of the seat shell could bedetermined based on the color that is visible through the appropriateviewing area.

[0110] Connection of Car Seat Base to Vehicle

[0111] The infant car seat 20 can be positioned directly on the seat ofa vehicle and secured to the vehicle seat by passing the vehicle seatbelt through curved slots 304 (see FIG. 21) provided in the sides of theseat shell 22. Preferably, however, with reference to FIG. 22, a base320 is provided for supporting the car seat 20 on the vehicle seat toallow the car seat 20 to be quickly installed and removed from thevehicle. In the illustrated embodiment, the base 320 includes a mainbody 324, preferably having a rigid, double-walled blow-moldedconstruction. The base 320 can be secured to the vehicle seat by routingthe vehicle seat belt (not shown) over the main body 324 and through apair of curved slots 328 formed in a connection bracket 330 that extendsupwardly from the main body 324. The curvature of the slots 328 servesto accommodate multiple entry angles of the seat belt resulting from thediffering locations of the seat belt buckles in various vehicle makesand models.

[0112] If the vehicle in which the base 320 is situated is provided withuniversal anchors (not shown), the base is preferably connected to theanchors. The universal anchors comprise 6 mm pins, which typically arelocated near the junction of the vehicle seat bottom and the vehicleseat back. In the illustrated embodiment, latches 332 extend from an endof the main body 324 of the base for connection to the anchors. Thelatches 332 can be of any known type suitable for use in universalanchoring systems.

[0113] Government safety regulations dictate certain dimensional rangesfor the locations of the anchors relative to one another and relative tothe vehicle seat. Accordingly, the latches 332 preferably are movablerelative to the main body 324 of the base 320 in order to accommodatethe full dimensional ranges allowed under the regulations. Withreference to FIG. 23, in the illustrated embodiment, each of the latches332 is attached to an end of an elongated rail 340. The rails 340 residein channels 344 formed along the sides of the base 320.

[0114] In the illustrated embodiment, a first cross-member 350 and asecond cross-member 352 extend laterally between the rails 340. A railguide 358 is connected to each end of each of the cross-members 350,352. The rail guides 358 reside in recesses 360 formed in the undersideof the main body 324. As best illustrated in FIGS. 24 and 25, each ofthe rail guides 358 preferably has a generally U-shaped cross-sectionand includes a top wall 364 and two generally parallel side walls 366.The rails 340 extend through slots 368 provided in the side walls 366 ofthe rail guides 358.

[0115] In the illustrated embodiment, a lock mechanism 380 is providedat each of the rail guides 358 of the first cross-member 350 toselectively lock the rails 340 in place relative to the rail guides 358.Each of the lock mechanisms 380 preferably includes a lock arm 384comprising a pair of elongated stampings 386. As illustrated in FIG. 26,each of the stampings 386 has a longitudinally extending slot 388 in anend thereof. The height of the slot 388 preferably is slightly greaterthan the cross-sectional height of the rails 340.

[0116] The lock arms 384 preferably extend through openings 390 providedin the top walls 364 of the rail guides 358, as illustrated in FIG. 25.The rails 340 extend through the slots 388 at the ends of the lock arms384. A coil spring 396 preferably is provided around each of the rails340 between the lock arms 384 and the side walls 366 of the rail guides358 opposite the latch 332 ends of the rails 340, forcing the ends ofthe lock arms 384 towards the side walls 366 adjacent the latches 332.

[0117] When the rails 340 are pulled away from the main body 324 of thebase 320, the lock arms 384 tend to pivot against the top walls 364 ofthe rail guides 358 so that the lock arms 384 are more parallel to therails 340. As a result, the lock arms 384 contact and “bite” into thetop and bottom surfaces of the rails 340, thereby preventing the rails340 from being further extended relative to the main body 324. When therails 340 are pushed towards the main body 324, however, the lock arms384 tend to pivot so that the lock arms 384 are more perpendicular tothe rails 340, thereby better aligning the slots 388 at the ends of thelock arms 384 with the rails 340 passing through the slots 388. As aresult, the lock arms 384 do not “bite” into the upper and lowersurfaces of the rails 340 as the rails 340 are retracted towards themain body 324 of the base 320. Accordingly, in the illustratedembodiment, the lock mechanisms 380 lock the rails 340 in place toprevent the rails 340 from being extended relative to the main body 324of the base, but allow the rails 340 to be retracted relative to themain body 324.

[0118] With reference again to FIG. 22, in the illustrated embodiment,an actuator 410 is provided above each of the lock arms 384. Theactuators 410 preferably are connected to the main body 324 of the base320 by threaded fasteners (not shown) that extend into the main body 324through openings 412 in the actuators 410. As best illustrated in FIGS.25 and 27, the ends of the actuators 410 opposite the openings 412contact the upper ends of the lock arms 384. When the ends of theactuators 410 are deflected towards the lock arms 384, the lock arms 384pivot against the top walls 364 of the rail guides 358 so that the lockarms 384 are more perpendicular to the rails 340, thereby betteraligning the slots 388 at the ends of the lock arms 384 with the rails340 passing through the slots 388. As a result, the lock arms 384 do not“bite” into the upper and lower surfaces of the rails 340 when theactuators 410 are deflected, allowing the rails 340 to be extended fromthe channels 344. When the actuators 410 are released, the coil springs396 force the ends of the lock arms 384 back towards the opposite sidewalls 366 of the rail guides 358 again to prevent the rails 340 frombeing further extended relative to the main body 324.

[0119] To install the base 320 in a vehicle, the actuators 410preferably are actuated to allow the rails 340 to be extended from themain body 324 of the base 320. The actuators 410 are then released andthe latches 332 are connected to the anchors of the vehicle. The mainbody 324 of the base 320 is then pressed towards the vehicle seat back,thereby retracting the rails 340 and preferably compressing the vehicleseat bottom beneath the main body 324. The lock mechanisms 380 and thevehicle seat back prevent movement of the main body 324 in theforward/aft directions.

[0120] Connection of Car Seat to Car Seat Base

[0121] With the base 320 secured to the vehicle seat by means of thevehicle seat belt or the latches 332, the car seat 20 can convenientlybe connected to the base 320 to safely transport an infant. Withreference to FIG. 28, in the illustrated embodiment, a connection rod400 is installed in the seat shell 22 by inserting the rod 400 throughopenings 402 in the inner and outer side walls 236, 238 of one of thesupports 242. The rod 400 is then passed through the bottom of thecrotch belt pocket 184 and through an opening 406 in the inner wall 236of the other support 242. Preferably, the crotch belt (not shown) ispassed around the connection rod 400 to securely anchor the crotch beltto the seat shell 22.

[0122] A release handle 412, illustrated in FIG. 29, preferably isslideably connected to the seat shell 22 near the foot end 26 thereof bya pair of hooks 416 that extend into slots (not shown) in the seat shell22. As illustrated in FIG. 29, the release handle 412 preferablyincludes a pair of arms 420 and a pair of contact surfaces 422 locatedinwardly of the arms 420. In the illustrated embodiment, each of thearms 420 includes two generally parallel walls 426 and a web portion 428that extends between the walls 426. A biasing member, such as a coilspring (not shown), biases the release handle 412 towards the head end24 of the seat shell 22.

[0123] With reference to FIG. 30, a release strap 430 preferably isconnected to each of the arms 420 of the release handle 412. The releasestraps 430 preferably have hooked ends 432 that extend around the webportions 428 of the arms 420. Each of the straps 430 extends through anopening 436 in one of the supports 242 and beneath a guide surface 438towards the head end 24 of the seat shell 22.

[0124] As illustrated in FIG. 30, each of the straps 430 is connected atan end opposite the release handle 412 to a mounting hook 450. Themounting hooks 450 are preferably formed of acetyl or a similarlyresilient material. In the illustrated embodiment, the mounting hooks450 generally have an inverted “V” shape and include a number of ribs454 and a central gusset 456 for reinforcement. Each of the mountinghooks 450 includes a first leg 460, to which the release strap 430 isconnected, and a second leg 462. The first leg 460 includes an upperbarb 466 and a lower barb 468 that extend towards the second leg 462.The second leg 462 is retained in place by ribs 474 extending from thesupport 242.

[0125] With reference again to FIG. 28, a slot 490, also having aninverted “V” shape, extends upwardly from the bottom surface 246 of eachof the supports 242. In FIG. 28, the upper and lower barbs 466, 468 ofthe mounting hooks 450 protrude into the slot 490. When the releasehandle 412 is moved towards the foot end 26 of the seat shell 22, therelease straps 430 pull the first legs 460 of mounting hooks 450 awayfrom second legs 462, so that the upper and lower barbs 466, 468 nolonger protrude into slots 490. When the handle 412 is released, themounting hooks 450 resiliently return to their original positions.

[0126] With reference now to FIGS. 31 and 32, in the illustratedembodiment, the connection bracket 330 includes a central portion 496and two side walls 498 that extend in a direction generallyperpendicular to the central portion 496. A slot 500 is provided in eachof the side walls 498 near the curved seat belt slots 328. A tab 502extends upwardly from the central portion 496 adjacent each of the sidewalls 498. A pawl 504 is pivotably connected between each tab 502 andthe adjacent side wall 498. A biasing spring 512 biases a hooked endportion 516 of each pawl 504 away from the central portion 498 so that,when viewed from the perspective of FIG. 32, the hooked portion 516extends across the slot 500.

[0127] With reference now to FIG. 33, the side walls 498 and the pawls504 of the connection bracket 330 extend upwardly through the main body324 of the base 320 near a foot end 518 of the base 320. As the foot end26 of the infant car seat 20 is lowered onto the base 320, theconnection rod 400 is aligned with and lowered into the slots 500 in theconnection bracket 330. The connection rod 400 contacts and deflects thepawls 504 away from the slots 500 as it passes downwardly into the slots500. When the connection rod 400 reaches the bottom of the slots 500,the biasing springs 512 bias the pawls 504 back towards the slots 500 sothat the hooked portions 516 of the pawls 504 extend over the rod 400,thereby retaining the rod 400 in the slots 500.

[0128] With reference still to FIG. 33, in the illustrated embodiment, amount 520 having a rounded top and a notch 522 in a side thereof islocated on each side of the base 320 near a head end 530 of the base320. As the head end 24 of the car seat 20 is lowered onto the base 320,the slots 490 in the supports 424 of the car seat 20 are aligned withthe mounts 520. The mounts 520 contact the lower barbs 468 of themounting hooks 450 (not visible in FIG. 33), thereby deflecting thefirst legs 460 of the mounting hooks 450 away from the second legs 462.When the car seat 20 is fully lowered onto the base 320, as illustratedin FIG. 34, the lower barbs 468 are aligned with the notches 522 in thesides of the mounts 520. The first legs 460 of the mounting hooks 450resiliently return towards the second legs 462 so that the lower barbs468 extend into the notches 522. The lower barbs 468 abut the tops ofthe notches 522, thereby locking the head end 24 of the car seat 20 tothe base 320.

[0129] To release the car seat 20 from the base 320, the release handle412 is moved towards the foot end 26 of the seat shell 20. As the handle412 is moved towards the foot end 26, the contact surfaces 422 (see FIG.29) of the handle 412 contact the pawls 504 of the connection bracket330 (see FIG. 31). The pawls 504 are rotated away from the slots 500 inthe bracket 330 so that hooked portions 516 of the pawls 504 do notextend over connection rod 400. At the same time, the movement of therelease handle 412 pulls the release straps 430 (see FIG. 30) towardsthe foot end 26 of the seat shell 20, thereby pulling the first legs 460of mounting hooks 450 away from second legs 462 so that the lower barbs468 do not extend into the notches 522 in the mounts 520. The car seat20 can then be lifted off of the base 320.

[0130] Angular Adjustment of Car Seat Base and Car Seat

[0131] With reference again to FIG. 23, in the illustrated embodiment,the base 320 has an angular adjustment mechanism 550 including a lifter552. The lifter 552, illustrated in FIGS. 35 and 36, includes agenerally planar portion 556 and projections 558 that extend upwardlyfrom a first end 562 of the planar portion 556. A threaded recess 566extends between the projections 558. A bearing surface 570, preferablycomprising a generally convex surface, slopes downwardly away from theplanar portion 556 from the first end 562 thereof. Slots 574 areprovided in the planar portion 556 near a second end 578 thereof.

[0132] As illustrated in FIG. 23, the lifter 552 preferably is slideablyconnected to the underside of the main body 324 of the base 320 byfasteners (not shown) that extend through the slots 574 in the planarportion 556. The projections (not visible in FIG. 23) extend intochannels 584 formed in the underside of the main body 324. An adjustmentscrew 588 extends into the threaded recess 566 of the lifter 552 fromthe head end 530 of the base. The screw 588 is rotatably connected tothe main body 324 by a retainer 590 that extends over the screw 588 andis connected to the main body 324 by a pair of fasteners 592. Anadjustment knob 596 is connected to an end of the screw 588. The screw588 mates with the threaded recess 566 of the lifter 552 so that, byturning the adjustment knob 596, the lifter 552 can be drawn towards oraway from the head 530 end of the base 320.

[0133] With reference now to FIG. 37, in the illustrated embodiment, thebase 320 includes a foot portion 600 at the underside thereof. The footportion 600, illustrated in FIGS. 38 and 39, has an extension 602 thatoverhangs a first end 606 of the foot portion 600, and a cantileverspring 610 that extends from the first end 606 towards a second end 612of the foot portion 600. In the illustrated embodiment, projections 616extend upwardly from the second end 612 of the foot portion 600. Each ofthe projections 616 defines a bearing surface 620, preferably comprisinga generally concave surface corresponding to the generally convexbearing surface 570 of the lifter 552, that slopes upwardly towards thesecond end 612. A recess 624 preferably is formed between theprojections 616 for passage of the adjustment screw 588.

[0134] As illustrated in FIG. 37, the extension 602 at the first end 606of the foot portion 600 is retained under the first cross-member 350between first cross-member 350 and the main body 324 of the base 320.The cantilever spring 610 extends under the second cross-member 352between the second cross-member 352 and the main body 324.

[0135] With reference now to FIG. 40, in the illustrated embodiment, thefoot portion 600 is pivotable about the first cross-member 350 relativeto the main body 324. When the screw 588 is turned in a first direction,the lifter 552 is drawn towards the head end 530 of the base 320. Thebearing surface 570 of the lifter 552 rides over the bearing surfaces620 of the projections 616. If the foot portion 600 is supported on asurface, such as a vehicle seat, the head end 530 of the main body 324is lifted relative to the foot portion 600, thus changing the angularorientation of the main body 324. The cantilever spring 610 is deflectedas the head end 530 of the main body 324 is lifted relative to the footportion 600.

[0136] When the screw 558 is turned in the opposite direction, thelifter 552 is moved away from the head end 530 of the base 320. Thebearing surface 570 of the lifter 552 slides down the bearing surfaces620 of the projections 616. The cantilever spring 610 assists gravity toforce the head end 530 of the main body 324 downwardly towards the footportion 600.

[0137] Accordingly, by rotating the adjustment knob 596, it is possibleto adjust the angular orientation of the main body 324 of base 320, andtherefore the angular orientation of the car seat 20 when the car seat20 is connected to the base 320. In contrast to some existing systems,the angular adjustment mechanism 550 is provided at the head end 530 ofthe base 320, opposite the vehicle seat back, making it more convenientto reach and operate. The adjustment knob 596 preferably is turned untilthe angle indicator 230 of the car seat 20 indicates that theorientation of the seat shell 22 is proper for the weight of the infantoccupying it.

[0138] Connection of Car Seat to Stroller

[0139] With reference now to FIG. 41, the car seat 20 preferably can beconnected to a stroller 700 which, in the illustrated embodiment,includes a stroller frame 702 and a stroller tray 704 that traverses thestroller frame 702. The stroller tray 704 preferably includes recessedareas 708 for supporting items such as drink cups, food and toys. Asillustrated in FIG. 42, the underside of the tray 704 preferablyincludes runners 712 that extend from a front 714 of the tray 704 to arear 716 of the tray 704. Each of the runners 712 defines an elongatedslot 718. A lock 720 is provided at the rear of the tray 704 between therunners 712.

[0140] The stroller tray 704 preferably is supported by a tray bar 730.As illustrated in FIG. 43, the tray bar 730 preferably includes recesses732 that correspond to the recessed areas 708 in the tray 704. Channels736 extend from a front 738 of the tray bar 730 to a rear 740 of thetray bar 730 to accommodate the runners 712 of the tray 704. An opening748 is provided through the tray bar 730 on each side of the channels736. A lock opening 750 is provided at the rear 740 of the tray bar 730between the channels 736.

[0141] The tray bar 730 may be adapted to be connected to the strollerframe 702 in any suitable manner. In the illustrated embodiment, thetray bar 730 includes an arm portion 756 at each side thereof. Avertical slot 758 is provided at the end of each arm portion 756, asillustrated in FIG. 44. The arm portions 756 slide over fingers (notshown) extending from the arms 762 (see FIG. 41) of the stroller. Thefingers extend through the slots 758 in the arm portions 756 andcooperate with the arm portions 756 to lock the tray bar 730 to thestroller 700.

[0142] With reference now to FIG. 45, in the illustrated embodiment, thetray 704 is connected to the tray bar 730 by a pivot rod 770 thatextends along the front 738 of the tray bar 730 through the slots 718 inthe runners 712. When the tray 704 is in its use position, asillustrated in FIG. 45, the tray 704 is cradled by the tray bar 730. Thetray lock 720 extends into the lock opening 750 of the tray bar 730 tolock the tray 704 in place.

[0143] Prior to connecting the infant car seat 20 to the stroller 700,the lock 720 is released and the rear 716 of the tray 704 is pivotedupwardly about the pivot rod 770 away from the tray bar 730. The tray704 is then lowered by allowing the pivot rod 770 to slide through theslots 718 in the runners 712 until it reaches the rear ends of the slots718, as illustrated in FIGS. 46 and 47. Accordingly, the tray 704remains connected to the tray bar 730 even when it is not in use,thereby reducing the likelihood of misplacing the tray 704.

[0144] With reference again to FIG. 43, in the illustrated embodiment,each of the openings 748 in the tray bar 730 has a stepped outer sidewall 780. An attachment bar 784 is defined behind each of the openings748. Each of the attachment bars 784 preferably has an inverted “V”shaped cross section that corresponds to the shape of the upper ends ofthe slots 490 in the supports 242 of the car seat 20 (see FIG. 28).

[0145] With reference now to FIG. 48, to connect the infant car seat 20to the stroller 700, the car seat 20 is lowered onto the stroller 700 sothat the supports 242 extend into the openings 748 in the tray bar 730.The attachment bars 784 are guided upwardly through the slots 490 in thesupports 242. As the car seat 20 is lowered, the attachment bars 784deflect the first legs 460 of the attachment hooks 450. When theattachment bars 784 reach the upper ends of the slots 490, the firstlegs 460 of the attachment hooks 450 spring back so that the upper barbs466 abut the bottom of the tray bar 730, as illustrated in FIG. 49. Thestepped outer side walls 780 of the openings 748 cooperate with thestepped outer side walls 238 of the supports 242 to prevent rotation ofthe car seat 20 relative to the tray bar 730.

[0146] The stroller frame 702 preferably is provided with integralsupports for supporting the foot end 26 of the seat shell 22.Alternatively, however, as illustrated in FIGS. 48 and 50, add-onsupports 790 can be provided. In the illustrated embodiment, the add-onsupports 790 are retractable. As illustrated in FIG. 50, each of thesupports 790 preferably includes a ring portion 792 that clasps thestroller frame 702 and a finger portion 794 pivotably connected to thering portion 792. To deploy the supports 790, the finger portions 794are pivoted inwardly away from the frame 702. The foot end 26 of theseat shell 22 can then be lowered onto the finger portions 794.

[0147] To release the car seat 20 from the stroller 700, the releasehandle 420 is moved towards the foot end 26 of seat shell 20. As thehandle 412 is moved towards the foot end 26, the release straps 430 (seeFIG. 30) pull the first legs 460 of the mounting hooks 450 away from thesecond legs 462 so that the upper barbs 466 do not abut the bottom ofthe tray bar 730. The car seat 20 can then be lifted off of the stroller70.

[0148] Although the invention has been disclosed in the context ofcertain preferred embodiments and examples, it will be understood bythose skilled in the art that the present invention extends beyond thespecifically disclosed embodiments to other alternative embodimentsand/or uses of the invention and obvious modifications and equivalentsthereof. Thus, it is intended that the scope of the present inventionherein disclosed should not be limited by the particular disclosedembodiments described above, but should be determined only by a fairreading of the claims that follow.

What is claimed is:
 1. An infant car seat, comprising: a seat shell; aseat back slideably connected to said seat shell; a plurality ofadjustment teeth provided along said seat back; and an adjusterrotatably connected to said seat shell, said adjuster mating with saidadjustment teeth to extend or retract said seat back relative to saidseat shell when said adjuster is rotated.
 2. The car seat of claim 1,wherein said adjuster comprises a main body and a pair of projectionsextending from said main body, each of said projections having a centralaxis offset from an axis of rotation of said main body.
 3. The car seatof claim 2, wherein said seat shell comprises a slot extending generallyperpendicular to a direction of travel of said seat back, said adjusterbeing moveable along said slot.
 4. The car seat of claim 3, furthercomprising a biasing member biasing said adjuster towards an end of saidslot adjacent said adjustment teeth on said seat back.
 5. The car seatof claim 4, wherein each of said projections resides in a valley betweensaid adjustment teeth when said adjuster is in a first rotationalorientation.
 6. The car seat of claim 5, wherein upon rotation of saidadjuster from said first orientation, said axis of rotation of said mainbody is moved laterally in said slot away from said adjustment teeth andone of said projections is moved generally linearly to move said seatback to a new longitudinal position relative to said seat shell.
 7. Thecar seat of claim 1, further comprising a head rest moveable with saidseat back, said head rest comprising a center portion and a pair of sideportions that extend away from said seat back from said center portion.8. The car seat of claim 1, further comprising: a first shoulder belthaving a first looped end; a second shoulder belt having a second loopedend; a third belt having a third looped end; and a splitter plateconnecting said first shoulder belt, said second shoulder belt, and saidthird belt behind said seat shell, said splitter plate comprising: alower portion; and an upper portion extending over said lower portionfrom a first side of said lower portion towards a second side of saidlower portion and defining a gap between an end of said upper portionand said second side of said lower portion, said gap sized to allow saidfirst and second looped ends to slide through said gap and around saidupper portion and said third looped end to slide through said gap andaround said lower portion.
 9. The car seat of claim 8, wherein saidupper portion comprises a retainer extending inwardly from said end ofsaid upper portion to prevent said first and second looped ends fromsliding off of said upper portion.
 10. The car seat of claim 9, whereinsaid upper portion comprises a curved interior surface to accommodate aconverging arrangement of said first and second shoulder belts towardssaid splitter plate.
 11. The car seat of claim 8, wherein said lowerportion comprises a first retainer extending inwardly from said firstside of said lower portion and a second retainer extending inwardly fromsaid second side of said lower portion, said first and second extensionspreventing said third looped end from sliding with respect to said lowerportion.
 12. The car seat of claim 8, further comprising a pair oflaterally spaced safety belt slots formed in said seat shell, and a pairof laterally spaced safety belt slots formed in said seat back.
 13. Thecar seat of claim 12, wherein each of said safety belt slots in saidseat shell is generally in registration with one of said safety beltslots in said seat back when said seat back is fully extended relativeto said seat shell.
 14. The car seat of claim 13, wherein said firstshoulder belt extends through one of said safety belt slots in said seatback and one of said safety belt slots in said seat shell and saidsecond shoulder belt extends through another of said safety belt slotsin said seat back and another of said safety belt slots in said seatshell.
 15. The car seat of claim 14, wherein said seat back furthercomprises a pair of safety belt channels extending along said seat back,said shoulder belts extending through said channels between said safetybelt slots in said seat back and said safety belt slots in said seatshell.
 16. An infant car seat, comprising: a seat shell; a seat backmoveable along said seat shell to extend or retract said seat backrelative to said seat shell; a plurality of adjustment teeth providedalong said seat back; and an adjuster rotatably connected to said seatshell, said adjuster comprising a main body having a central axis, afirst projection extending from said main body on a first side of saidcentral axis, and a second projection extending from said main body on asecond side of said central axis opposite said first side, said firstand second projections mating with said adjustment teeth to extend orretract said seat back relative to said seat shell upon rotation of saidadjuster.
 17. The car seat of claim 16, wherein said seat shellcomprises a slot extending generally perpendicular to a direction oftravel of said seat back, said adjuster being moveable along said slot.18. The car seat of claim 17, further comprising a biasing memberbiasing said adjuster towards an end of said slot adjacent saidadjustment teeth.
 19. The car seat of claim 18, wherein said biasingmember comprises a generally K-shaped member comprising a contactsegment and a pair of cantilever leg segments extending between saidcontact segment and said seat shell.
 20. The car seat of claim 19,wherein each of said first and second projections resides in a valleybetween said adjustment teeth when said adjuster is in a firstrotational orientation.
 21. The car seat of claim 20, wherein uponrotation of said adjuster from said first orientation, said firstprojection abuts a valley between said adjustment teeth and said secondprojection abuts said contact segment of said biasing member, therebydeforming said leg segments.
 22. The car seat of claim 21, wherein uponrotation of said adjuster from said first orientation, said central axisof said main body moves laterally in said slot against a force of saidbiasing member and said first projection cooperates with said adjustmentteeth to move said seat back to a new longitudinal position relative tosaid seat shell.
 23. The car seat of claim 16, further comprising: apendulum pivotably suspended from said seat shell, said pendulum havingan opening in a face thereof; a first viewing area provided in said seatshell, said opening in registration with said first viewing area when anangular orientation of said seat shell is proper for a car seat occupanthaving a weight within a first weight range; and a second viewing areaprovided in said seat shell, said opening in registration with saidsecond viewing area when an angular orientation of said seat shell isproper for a car seat occupant having a weight within a second weightrange.
 24. An infant car seat, comprising: a seat shell; a first safetybelt having a first looped end; a second safety belt having a secondlooped end; a third safety belt having a third looped end; and asplitter plate connecting said first, second and third safety beltsbehind said seat shell, said splitter plate comprising: a lower portion;and an upper portion extending over said lower portion from a first sideof said lower portion towards a second side of said lower portion anddefining a gap between an end of said upper portion and said second sideof said lower portion, said gap sized to allow said first and secondlooped ends to slide through said gap and around said upper portion andsaid third looped end to slide through said gap and around said lowerportion.
 25. The car seat of claim 24, wherein said upper portioncomprises a retainer extending inwardly from said end of said upperportion to prevent said first and second looped portions from slidingoff of said upper portion.
 26. The car seat of claim 25, wherein saidlower portion comprises a first retainer extending inwardly from saidfirst side of said lower portion and a second retainer extendinginwardly from said second side of said lower portion, said first andsecond extensions limiting sliding movement of said third looped portionrelative to said lower portion.
 27. The car seat of claim 25, whereinsaid upper portion comprises a curved interior surface to accommodate aconverging arrangement of said first and second safety belts towardssaid splitter plate.
 28. An infant car seat, comprising: a seat shell; apendulum pivotably suspended within said seat shell, said pendulumhaving an indicator; a first viewing area provided in said seat shell,said indicator visible in said first viewing area when an angularorientation of said seat shell is within a first range; and a secondviewing area provided in said seat shell, said indicator visible in saidsecond viewing area when an angular orientation of said seat shell iswithin a second range.
 29. The car seat of claim 28, wherein saidindicator is an opening provided in said pendulum.
 30. The car seat ofclaim 28, wherein said first viewing area is provided in said seat shellat a first distance from a pivot axis and said second viewing area isprovided in said seat shell at a second distance from said pivot axisgreater than said first distance.
 31. The car seat of claim 28, furthercomprising one or more additional viewing areas provided in said seatshell, each of said additional viewing areas corresponding to apredetermined weight range, said indicator visible in one of saidadditional viewing areas when an angular orientation of said seat shellis proper for an occupant of said car seat having a weight within acorresponding one of said predetermined weight ranges.